United Airlines Defends Banning Girls In Leggings From Boarding Aircraft In Denver

'This behavior is sexist and sexualises young girls.'
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United Airlines has defended its right to stop passengers boarding flights because of their clothing after it was publicly shamed for prohibiting girls in leggings from boarding an aircraft.

Three girls, one of whom was described as being just 10 years old, were reportedly stopped by gate agents from catching a flight to Minneapolis at Denver International Airport on Sunday.

A host of celebrities, including Patricia Arquette, Chrissy Teigen and Sarah Silverman, were critical about the airline’s actions after several people tweeted complaints.

United Airlines has defended its right to stop passengers boarding flights over their attire
United Airlines has defended its right to stop passengers boarding flights over their attire
Ivan_Sabo via Getty Images

Shannon Watts, an anti-gun campaigner, sent a series of angry tweets to United Airlines accusing them of policing women’s clothing and sexualising young girls.

1) A @united gate agent isn't letting girls in leggings get on flight from Denver to Minneapolis because spandex is not allowed?

— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) March 26, 2017

2) She's forcing them to change or put dresses on over leggings or they can't board. Since when does @united police women's clothing?

— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) March 26, 2017

3) Gate agent for flt 215 at 7:55. Said she doesn't make the rules, just follows them. I guess @united not letting women wear athletic wear?

— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) March 26, 2017

She asked the airline how many boys had been “penalised for the same reason”.

.@united They just boarded after being forced to change or put dresses on over the top of their clothing. Is this your policy?

— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) March 26, 2017

2) This behavior is sexist and sexualizes young girls. Not to mention that the families were mortified and inconveninced.

— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) March 26, 2017

3) As the mother of 4 daughters who live and travel in yoga pants, I'd like to know how many boys @United has penalized for the same reason.

— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) March 26, 2017

United Airlines pointed to its rule in its Contract Carriage that gives it the right to refuse transport to passengers “who are barefoot or not properly clothed.”

The company later explained the rules did not apply to “regular customers”, but to “pass riders” who are friends and family of employees who receive free or heavily discounted air travel.

@shannonrwatts In our Contract of Carriage, Rule 21, we do have the right to refuse transport for passengers who ... https://t.co/52kRVgaCyb

— United (@united) March 26, 2017

Yet Watts said she felt the airline was discriminating against the girls because of their gender, adding that their father was allowed to wear shorts on the flight.

.@tebfunk United has said that. Why does that make it ok to prevent three girls in leggings to fly, but let their dad on wearing shorts?

— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) March 27, 2017

A number of celebrities also tweeted their disapproval.

@united Leggings are business attire for 10 year olds. Their business is being children.

— Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) March 26, 2017

I have flown united before with literally no pants on. Just a top as a dress. Next time I will wear only jeans and a scarf.

— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) March 26, 2017

Understandable. It's just that saying a dad in cargo shorts is more appropriate than a 10 y/o girl in leggings is weird maybe rethink https://t.co/U1xzH5P6Ar

— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) March 27, 2017

Uniter Airlines issued a statement which read: “We care about the way we present ourselves to you, our customers, as we believe that is part of the experience on board our flights.

“One of the benefits of working for an airline is that our employees are able to travel the world. Even better, they can extend this privilege to a select number of what we call ‘pass riders’.

“These are relatives or friends who also receive the benefit of free or heavily discounted air travel – on our airline as well as on airlines around the world where we have mutual agreements in place for employees and pass riders.

“When taking advantage of this benefit, all employees and pass riders are considered representatives of United. And like most companies, we have a dress code that we ask employees and pass riders to follow.

“The passengers this morning were United pass riders and not in compliance with our dress code for company benefit travel. We regularly remind our employees that when they place a family member or friend on a flight for free as a standby passenger, they need to follow our dress code.

“To our regular customers, your leggings are welcome.”

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